Knitters Are Loverly (Plus A Givaway!!) -

      I had originally planned a post on some of the reasons I think everyone should be Knitters, with an Exciting Giveaway at the end.  It ended up being about a page and a half.  And I was only about half done.  In the interest of getting to the Exciting Giveaway, I have decided to break up my original post into much smaller posts and summarize here.

1. Knitting is a form of Cognitive Anchoring that helps keep our minds focused while our hands are hands are engaged in automatic behavior. Plus, you can have a gorgeous cowl at the end of a week-long training seminar instead of a legal pad full of doodles that end up in the trash!
2. The fiber and color choices readily available to today's knitters are quite astounding (This ain't yer grandma's scratchy acrylic yarn, ya'll!)
3. Handknit anything > store-bought knits.  Every time  Everyday.
4. Knitters are Amazing, Caring People

     In fact, a group of Knitters is commonly called a Kindness of Knitters.  Aside from creating beautiful things for those they love, Knitters frequently donate their time and skills to many other groups like Halos of Hope, the Special Olympics and Project Linus, just to name a few.  The kindness of knitters extends beyond charitable acts & enters into the realm of "I'm giving this to you just because."

     Need an example?  Many of you know about my current sweater crush, Hana Hou.

     Fully intending to purchase the pattern for this gorgeous sweater, imagine my surprise on launch day when I opened Ravelry to find this:

     

     And to top it all off, when I thanked Mel (my sweet friend & designer of this gorgeousness!) and mentioned that I would give away the copy had I intended to purchase for myself, she generously offered to donate a second copy for me to give away!!

     What a Loverly Thing!!

     I have to tell you, this pattern is not just stitch directions, abbreviations & written instructions.  It contains detailed instructions, helpful tips & amazing photography by Nate Smith.

     Seriously.  I want to print this Look Book, have it bound and keep it on my coffee table.

     You want to win a copy so you can knit it immediately?  I thought you would!

     Here's what to do:

1. Go stash diving!  (This I-Must-Knit-Right-Now cardigan requires 1500 - 2180 yards of sport/5-ply yarn)  Tell me what is in your stash that is begging to be knit into Hana Hou?
2. No sport weight in your stash? Go shopping!  Let me know what you decided to make YOUR sweater with.
3. Go to the Pattern Page on Ravelry then come back and let me know what you like best about this sweater.  It's also a good time to take a look at Mel's other patterns and queue them up!

***PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR RAVELRY ID IN YOUR COMMENT!***

     After you've commented here for your chance to win, hop on over to this post from Mel's blog, Singlehanded Knits.  She wants to give every one of you a discount on Hana Hou!!

     Contest will close Tuesday, February 18th at 10pm CST.  Two (2) winners will be chosen by RNG and announced Wednesday, February 19th CST.

     Still on the fence?  Here's another look.